Federal Communications Commission

FCC Seeks Comment on Further Reforms to Rural Health Care Program

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on further reforms to the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program rules to promote program efficiency and ensure that rural healthcare providers receive appropriate levels of funding. Specifically, the FCC is seeking comment on several facets of the RHC Program including:

Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force Working Groups Announced

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in consultation with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, has appointed Working Group members to serve on the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. The following working groups will assist the Task Force in carrying out its work: (1) Mapping and Analyzing Connectivity on Agricultural Lands; (2) Examining Current and Future Connectivity Demand for Precision Agriculture; (3) Encouraging Adoption of Precision Agriculture and Availability of High-Quality Job

Remarks Of FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to ATIS' Next G Alliance: The Roadmap To 6G

"As we develop the roadmap to 6G, we must remember several considerations," said Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks at ATIS' "Next G Alliance: The Roadmap to 6G" event. "First, many of the technical characteristics that will contribute to 6G’s performance could also produce security vulnerabilities...Industry and policymakers must ensure that security standards are baked into 6G, rather than bolted on.

FCC Announces Effective Dates for Affordable Connectivity Program Rules and Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for Related Further Notice

On January 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission released the Affordable Connectivity Program Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ACP Order and Further Notice) providing the final rules to implement the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP Order and Further Notice was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2022. As set forth in the ACP Order and Further Notice, all adopted rules have the effective dates listed here.

Rules that will become effective on March 16, 2022: 

FCC Acts to Increase Broadband Competition in Apartment Buildings

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules to unlock broadband competition for those living and working in apartments, public housing, office buildings, and other multi-tenant buildings (MTEs). To ensure competitive choice of communications services for those living and working in MTEs, and to address practices that undermine longstanding rules promoting competition in MTEs, the FCC takes three specific actions. First, the agency adopts new rules prohibiting providers from entering into certain types of revenue sharing agreements that are used to evade existing rules.

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Authorized for 2,576 Winning Bids

The Wireline Competition Bureau, in conjunction with the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and the Office of Economics and Analytics, authorized Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904) support for 2,576 winning bids.

FCC Announces Supply Chain Reimbursement Program Applications Filed

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced the applications filed for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The Reimbursement Program received 181 applications and, upon initial review by the Reimbursement Program Fund Administrator, the gross cost estimate demand for Reimbursement Program support contained in the applications initially found eligible and acceptable for filing is nearly $5.6 billion.

FCC Commits Nearly $126 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funds for Schools and Libraries

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it is committing $125,962,023.72 in its ninth wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund program support. This round of funding will support over 270,000 students and provide funding for 340 schools, 20 libraries and 6 consortia, which are approved to receive over 330,000 connected devices and over 39,000 broadband connections. Since its June 2021 launch, the program has committed over $4.5 billion supporting all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Washington (DC).

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the formation of a cross-agency task force that will focus on creating rules and policies to combat digital discrimination and to promote equal access to broadband across the country, regardless of zip code, income level, ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel to Lead Federal Interagency Cybersecurity Forum

The Federal Communications Commission announced that Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will serve as Chair of the relaunched and revitalized Cybersecurity Forum for Independent and Executive Branch Regulators, a federal interagency group that shares information and expertise to enhance the cybersecurity of America’s critical infrastructure. Initially launched in 2014, the Forum has been mostly inactive for the past several years.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Notifies Congress of Demand for Rip and Replace Program

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel notified Congress that providers have initially requested approximately $5.6 billion from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to cover the costs of removing, replacing, and disposing of insecure equipment and services in US networks. “We’ve received over 181 applications from carriers who have developed plans to remove and replace equipment in their networks that pose a national security threat," said Rosenworcel.

FCC Partners with Institute Of Museum And Library Services to Address Digital Divide on Tribal Lands

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it is partnering with the Institute of Museum and Library Services to expand broadband connectivity to Tribal libraries. The agencies will team up to raise awareness about the E-Rate program among Tribal libraries and organizations, which can use program funds to increase broadband access to serve their communities. To kick off this partnership, the agencies recently reached out to all 574 Tribal leaders to provide information about the E-Rate program and opportunities for Tribal libraries to participate.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Names New Native Nations Communications Task Force Members

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the appointment of eight Tribal members to the FCC’s Native Nations Communications Task Force. In addition to filling seven current vacancies, the appointment of eight new Tribal members raises the total number of Tribal Task Force members from 25 to 26. The Task Force’s mission is to provide guidance, expertise, and recommendations to specific requests from the FCC on a range of communications issues that directly or indirectly affect Tribal governments and their people.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Members of Congress Regarding Broadband Funding

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent letters to Reps Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), James Comer (R-KY) and Kay Granger (R-TX) on January 14, 2022, responding to their letter that asked for information on FCC efforts to coordinate with other agencies on broadband funding. Rosenworcel said the FCC collaborated with various federal and state agencies on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, COVID-19 Telehealth Program and Emergency Connectivity Fund.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Lawmakers' Concerns Over Fraud in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) and Reps Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Robert Latta (R-OH) on January 7, 2022, regarding their letter about the FCC’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on fraudulent enrollments by providers in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Appoints Bureau Chiefs for Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Media Bureau, Public Safety Bureau, Enforcement Bureau and General Counsel

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the appointment of the following Bureau and Office Chiefs:

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for Febuary Open Meeting

The Federal Communications Commission announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the February Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Friday, February 18, 2022: